Sunday, December 22, 2024

15 of the highest paying jobs by the hour – and you don’t need a degree

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YOU don’t need a fancy degree or expensive specialist training to earn decent money.

In fact, there are plenty of jobs offering more than £25 per hour, which works out as an annual salary of almost £43,000 per year – well above the national average.

You don’t need a fancy degree or expensive specialist training to earn decent money

Some of the best-paid jobs where you don’t need to shell out for university courses or training include an agile coach, a court reporter, and a childminder, according to data from job site Adzuna, shared exclusively with the Sun.

Adzuna co-founder Andrew Hunter said: “With the National Minimum Wage rising nearly 10% to £11.44 this April, there’s exciting news for jobseekers. 

“Numerous hourly paid roles now offer over £20 per hour and don’t require a degree. For jobseekers looking to strike a balance between earnings and lifestyle, these roles are a golden opportunity. 

“Whether you’re into creative roles like UI designer or hands-on roles like Rope Access Technician, these jobs not only pay well but also offer flexibility to fit your life outside work.”

The top paying job on the list was a rope access consultant, which is someone who works on a rope doing tasks such as window cleaning, painting, welding, pressure washing, and other maintenance activities.

Adzuna says this pays £30 per hour, which works out as a full-time salary of more than £50,000 a year.

At the bottom of the top ten was a farrier, which is someone who is an expert in equine hoof care and shoeing horses.

This pays £18.77 an hour, which works out as a salary of over £36,600 if you work 37.5 hours a week – a standard week.

I quit my £16k a year job to focus on my side hustle and now make £400k – here’s how I did it

Of course, if you’re prepared to do more comprehensive training, either by paying for courses or on the job through apprenticeships, you may be able to secure even more lucrative pay.

For instance, a previous study looking at the least competitive jobs found that the average advertised salary for a tax specialist is £55,673, a role that it’s possible to access through apprenticeships.

Audit specialist roles, which is a similar field, have an average advertised salary of £44,022.

Loss adjusters, who help insurance companies investigate insurance claims and calculate the losses and payouts, also often have apprenticeships, and the average annual salary for these roles is £42,149. 

Meanwhile, piano teachers and wedding planners are paid around £30/hour too.

By contrast, the National Living Wage for someone aged 21 and over is just £11.44 an hour.

And the National Minimum Wage for people aged 18-20 is just £8.60 an hour.

Here’s the full list of the best hourly paid jobs with no degree requirements:

  • Rope Access Technician – £30.00
  • Agile Coach – £27.21
  • UI designer – £27.15
  • Court Reporter – £25.58
  • Creative Copywriter – £21.03
  • Landscaper – £20.94
  • Home Health Aide – £20.80
  • Childminder – £19.61
  • Proposal writer – £19.31
  • Voice-over Artist – £18.77
  • Bookseller – £18.64
  • Farrier – £18.64
  • Plumber – £18.48
  • Executive Assistant – £18.26
  • Butler – £18.03

If you’re thinking about having a career change, it’s important to brush up on your CV and transferrable skills. 

We spoke to a recruitment expert who shared the six things that seriously boost your chances of getting an interview.

Elsewhere, we have spoken to a train driver who earns £54,000 a year, without a university education.

And a 27-year-old revealed how he earns over £50K in recruitment, after dropping out of college at 17.

Meanwhile, a Sheffield-based woman decided to pursue money rather than studying and now has a salary that tops £60,000 a year working as a lettings agent.

And here are the highest-paying entry-level jobs that you don’t need a degree for – and you can earn over £36,000.

Plus, if you’re looking for more flexible hours, these are the jobs that can get you up to £70,000 – and some don’t need any qualifications.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.

Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories

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